Dec. - Jan., 1960

The TCA Governing Board will vote on approving a sanctioned Fiberglass Thistle at the Mid-Winter meeting in St. Petersburg. A development committee met in Cincinnati to finalize construction details for fiberglass Thistle models.

The Thistle Winter Nationals will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida from January 26-29, 1960. Registration begins January 26 with a tune-up race, followed by five races January 27-29.

The TCA Measurer George Devlin refused legal sanction for the commercially-developed Schock aluminum mast in December 1959, ruling that its dimensions did not conform to the official wooden mast specifications.

Annual TCA membership dues notice reminding members to pay $6.00 to the Secretary-Treasurer by March 31 to avoid late penalties.

Editorial column encouraging fleet officers and regatta publicity chairmen to submit stories and information to BAGPIPE well in advance. The publication has a three-week production timeline from submission to delivery.

Explanation of the publication timeline for BAGPIPE, from submission to printing to delivery, which takes approximately three weeks. Lists specific closing dates for upcoming issues through December.

From The Measurer column: Walt Stubner submits detailed technical questions about Thistle class rules and specifications. George Devlin, Class Measurer, provides answers covering centerboard slot specifications, reefing winches, permanent wedges, bow seats, and other technical matters.

Vaughn Kelly emerged as the top skipper for Thistle Fleet No. 82 at Battle Creek, Michigan during 1959, which was the fleet's most active season with races every weekend and four regattas. The Goguac Invitational was a major event drawing boats from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

List of upcoming Thistle regattas for 1960, beginning with the Admiral Farragut Championships in April at Concord and the Cotton Carnival Regatta in May at Memphis.

Fleet 67 held a required sail measurement meeting during May 1959 to qualify boats for the season. Despite initial attempts to find suitable space, they successfully held the meeting by torchlight on a member's lawn with beer and an efficient measuring crew, finding only a few illegal sails.

The Long Island Sound District Races for the 1959 season were held at Milford, Connecticut with 44 boats participating. Doug Westin won the first race, Dennis Posey took the second with Pete Bordes close behind, and Posey prevailed in the final race for the season championship.

For the second consecutive year, Ithaca Yacht Club's Norm Freeman won both the Red Dragon Canoe Club's Heather Bowl regatta and the Thistle portion of the Riverton YC regatta, cementing his dominance in the Delaware River racing circuit.

In the season past, thirteen Thistles competed in the New Jersey Governors Cup regatta at Riverton YC. The competing boats included some defending the Governor's Cup itself, with various fluke incidents affecting the competition.

Seventeen-year-old Hank Maust of Bellport won the Great South Bay Thistle championship for the second consecutive year, securing three straight firsts in the Bellport Yacht Club Labor Day series. The season series comprised races in July and three at Bellport, with weather ranging from moderate to light conditions.

Thistle Fleet No. 87 at Bloomington, Indiana completed its first season successfully. Ted Dippe was elected Fleet Captain, with Ron Rosforfer and charter members Jan and Bill McLean serving in leadership roles. The fleet held twelve races and sees good growth potential.

Hawaii became the first fully reported and fully paid Thistle Fleet (Fleet 99) for 1960, according to TCA Secretary-Treasurer Pollye Norton. Paul Joy is 1960 Fleet Captain, with a special election needed to replace retired Fleet Secretary Rothermel.

Regional Thistle publications have become increasingly popular, supplementing the national BAGPIPE. These local, mimeographed publications provide intensive coverage of district-specific news and help districts develop stronger community ties while maintaining local interest in Thistle racing.

The Delta District TCA brought out its own district-wide publication THISTLEDOWN in January 1960, joining Newport Harbor Fleet 68 in producing local Thistle newsletters. Both are mimeographed publications with content equivalent to BAGPIPE but focused on local district news.

Bob Kaiser, a newcomer to Thistle racing, won first place at Kentucky Lake on an adjusted time basis and won the Governor's Cup, a trophy originated by former governor Allen W. Barkley. Kaiser's victory is notable as he bested experienced competitors.

Ben Weil won the Fleet 34 championship for 1959, finishing ahead of eight other fleet competitors in a season spanning thirty races over six months. Chuck Wiley finished second and Wendall Johnson third, with other competitors following.

Using Alamitos Bay as a nucleus, Fleet 84 has expanded to include all Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, eliminating the need to travel 30 miles to Newport. The fleet has grown to 11 active racers and includes members from various Southern California communities.

Art Were writes to BAGPIPE noting a variance in the height of spinnaker pole fittings above the mast step. A random check of 14 boats at the Nationals showed heights ranging from 29½" to 44½" with an average of 36", with some boats carrying a second fitting for light air sailing.

Fleet Captain Charlie Althaus led a Thursday afternoon South Bay cruise from Palo Alto in August with guests, attempting to find seals in a slough. The attempt ended in mud disaster when the Thistle became stuck, requiring the crew to wade ashore and later camp under the mainsail with a bonfire until rescue.

Fleet 55 at Chula Vista, California, defunct for some time, is being reactivated in the spring. Tom Walker has approached TCA President Evans Harrell with measurement certificates for three boats and inquiries about fleet charter reinstatement.

Collection of classified ads and marketplace listings for Thistle boats, sails, and equipment. Includes wanted items, boats for sale ranging from well-maintained used boats to complete racing outfits, and equipment listings.